According to the British Theatre Consortium, an industry organization, theatre audiences have returned in larger numbers than anticipated following the pandemic.
The report titled “The British Theatre: Before and After Covid” assessed UK box office statistics, which encompassed ticket sales, performances, and audience attendance derived from data provided by the Society of London Theatres, contrasting figures from 2019 with those from 2023.
Co-author Dan Rebellato noted, “While the overall number of productions has certainly declined, attendance figures in 2023 have actually surpassed those of 2019, revealing a wealth of new creative work, predominantly in the musical genre.”
He emphasized that the most significant drop was seen in the opening of new plays, with the analysis indicating a 30% reduction in new plays debuting in 2023 compared to 2019.
Statistics showed that there were 9.9% fewer shows and an 11.6% decrease in performances in 2023 relative to 2019, yet attendance increased by 6.1%.
Rebellato commented on the challenges of marketing a new play, stating, “There has been a noticeable hesitation, leading some to shy away from new play productions.”
The report highlighted notable successes in 2023, particularly in musical theatre, as theatres reopened following two lockdowns.
The findings indicated a rise in adaptations and a reduction in commissioned drama.
In 2019, musical theatre represented one-third of all performances, half of total attendance, and nearly 60% of box office revenue. By 2023, these figures had increased: musical theatre made up 40% of all performances, exceeded half of all audience attendance, and accounted for almost 66% of box office receipts.
Conversely, the share of drama productions fell significantly from 57% to 51%.
The analysis identified a marked increase in new musicals submitted for production. In 2019, 37% of musicals were newly created, whereas this figure rose to just over 50% in 2023. Following the lockdown, new musicals comprised 56% of all box office returns for original works.
“Punch,” a new play by James Graham, initially premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024, then moved to the Young Vic in London in April 2025, and later transferred to the Apollo Theatre in September.
Kate Packenham, who produced the West End version, shared, “Producers may be apprehensive about the commercial feasibility of staging new plays, as there’s a perception that audiences prefer familiar works.”
She continued, “Our responsibility lies in discovering innovative methods to present them, which may involve collaboration with not-for-profit theatres (NFP) or guiding productions like ‘Punch’ from regional stages to NFPs before reaching the West End.”
Packenham stressed the importance of solidarity within the sector and the need to support playwrights, who are essential to the theatre ecosystem.
“One effective strategy to alleviate the perceived risks of producing new plays is to foster partnerships,” she noted.
“There exists a vast network within the industry that champions new plays, and it’s crucial that we continue to recognize and invest in this framework.”
